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mirevolver · 02-13-2004, 05:43 PM

Here is some more of "The Future Sees the Storm"

_________________________________________

“Captain, you have an incoming message from Solforce command.”

Kaytlin Valentinovna Andreva stood in a tall, well-defined manner. Her dark black hair was beginning to pick up some silver at its roots. Her face, albeit firm, was beginning to show her age. But that didn’t bother her, she stood proud in her red Solforce central forces jacket. The black pants with gold trim that made up the rest of her uniform were neatly pressed. And the one object on her uniform that truly made her proud sat on her right shoulder, her rank insignia. A star sat on the top to symbolize Sol, a planet on the bottom to symbolize earth, two bars connected them and spanning between the two bars were five solid bars to indicate her rank: Fleet Captain. The rank insignia was made of solid gold and sat on a black vertical stripe on the front of the uniform. Andreva admired the strong Russian woman that stood in the mirror in front of her.

Kaytlin knew with absolute certainty, today was going to be a wonderful day.

“Fleet Captain Andreva, you have an incoming transmission from Solforce command.”

Kaytlin diverted her attention from the mirror and turned to the comm. panel on her desk. She gracefully walked toward her desk and placed her finger on the “talk” button. With her Russian accent she said, “I’ll take it here.”

“Yes sir.”

Again, with grace, she walked around the desk and sat down. Once she was comfortable, she turned to face the computer screen on her desk. The screen displayed a prescreen which had the seal of the United Worlds and below that were the words, “PRIORITY TRANSMISSION: SOLFORCE COMMAND.” At the bottom of the screen was a time and date stamp. Kaytlin read the time and then the time on the chronometer at the side of her desk. There was a fifteen second delay. Even transmitting through a micro-wormhole could not eradicate the time delay of interstellar communications.

The prescreen disappeared and was replaced by the face of a woman who appeared to be about sixty. Instantly, Kaytlin recognized the woman and extended a greeting towards her. “Fleet Admiral Harding.”

For the next thirty seconds, Kaytlin sat in silence as she waited for the signal to travel to Luna and then back to the U.W.S. Independence. Then the image of the admiral spoke, “Fleet Captain Andreva, due to the time delay it would be best if we dispensed with the pleasantries. I have new orders for you, you are to leave the rest of the third fleet with the Solforce Science survey ships and take the Independence to sector eighty-four subsection ten by ten by ten.”

“The border of Poloni space?”

A thirty-second pause.

“Yes. There you will wait for a Poloni diplomatic envoy. When the envoy arrives, you will take on some passengers and rendezvous with the rest of the third fleet in the Centauri system.”

“But Admiral, surely there is another ship that is closer and can carry out the mission with more efficiency.”

Another thirty second wait.

“There are other ships, but the Poloni specifically asked for you, Fleet Captain.”

“Me?”

Thirty seconds of silence.

“Yes, they mentioned you by name.”

“Very well Admiral, I’ll have a course laid in immediately. Andreva out.” With that, Kaytlin tapped a button on her console and the screen went blank. Kaytlin leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes and let out a groan. Muttering to herself, she said, “Why did the most annoying species in the galaxy have to request me by name?”

After taking a few seconds sulk about the damper that had just been put on her day she opened her eyes and tapped her wrist comm. “Andreva to bridge.”

“Bridge here, Hunter speaking.”

“Captain Hunter, contact the rest of the fleet and tell them to remain with the Solforce Science vessels until they complete their survey of the Shaw star. Once that is complete, tell them to travel to the Centauri system where we will rendezvous with them. After you have done that, lay in a course for sector eighty-four, subsector ten by ten by ten and open a wormhole.”

“Yes sir.”

“I’ll be on the bridge in a few minutes. Fleet Captain Andreva out.”

Andreva got up from her chair and walked to the door leading out of her quarters and as the door slid open, she let out a half sigh, half groan. She knew with absolute certainty that today was going to be a lousy day, and then stepped into the hallway.

On her way to the multilift, Kaytlin searched through her mind as to why the Poloni would have requested her by name. Slowly, she began recalling all of her recent encounters with the Poloni. As she stepped into the multilift, the answer dawned on her. It wasn’t the Poloni who asked for her, but it was her friend and former captain, Marc Revolver. She remembered how the Poloni often visited him while he was in command of the U.W.S. Independence. But not only that, she also remembered the conversation she had with him the last time she saw him.

“We’ve reached the border of Poloni Space, Marc.” Kaytlin had said into the comm. on her office desk.

Marc’s reply sounded through the speaker a moment later. “Hold position here. They have told me that they will come out to us.”

“Are you sure about this, Marc?” Kaytlin questioned. “The Poloni have not exactly been forthcoming about themselves. And since they prohibit outsider ships in their space, if anything were to happen, we would not be able to go in and get you.”

“The Poloni have never given me a reason to be concerned about my well being while I’m in their presence.”

Katilyn paused, surprised at his response. She formulated a question from her surprise and asked it. “Are you saying you trust the Poloni?”

“The Poloni conceal too much about themselves for me to trust them, but at the same time, I don’t distrust them. And Besides, they specifically asked for me as the United Worlds ambassador to the Poloni.”

“That’s what worries me.” Kaytlin replied, her voice betraying the loathing she felt.

“You’re a pessimist, Kaytlin.”

Kaytlin recoiled back in her seat. “I am not! I’m just Russian, that’s all.”

“I understand your concern for me, Kaytlin. You are among the last of my true friends. And I thank you for being concerned about me. But please, don’t worry too much, I can still look out for myself.

“You’re the first commanding officer that ever put up with me. If I hadn’t have been placed under your command, I would have probably quit Solforce as a Lieutenant, and now I’m the captain of the U.W.S. Independence and the commander of Solforce’s third fleet. I owe that to you and now you’re going to a place where I won’t be able to reach you. So perhaps I am just afraid of myself, but directing my fear toward you. I’m afraid I’ll never see you again.”

“Then I will promise you this. When I return from Poloni space, I will ask for you by name. I will see to it that Solforce sends you to pick me up.”

How long has it been since then? Kaytlin thought to herself. Her mind followed up by giving her the answer. Ten Years.

The multilift doors slid open and Kaytlin stepped onto the bridge of the ship.

“Captain on the bridge!” Someone yelled out, and everybody immediately stood at attention.

Kaytln casually made her way to her chair. “As you were.” She said as she sat down, everyone else followed her example and returned to their seats, resuming their work.

02-13-2004, 05:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
mirevolver Inspired by the mind's eye. Location: Between the darkness and the light.	Here is some more of "The Future Sees the Storm" _________________________________________ “Captain, you have an incoming message from Solforce command.” Kaytlin Valentinovna Andreva stood in a tall, well-defined manner. Her dark black hair was beginning to pick up some silver at its roots. Her face, albeit firm, was beginning to show her age. But that didn’t bother her, she stood proud in her red Solforce central forces jacket. The black pants with gold trim that made up the rest of her uniform were neatly pressed. And the one object on her uniform that truly made her proud sat on her right shoulder, her rank insignia. A star sat on the top to symbolize Sol, a planet on the bottom to symbolize earth, two bars connected them and spanning between the two bars were five solid bars to indicate her rank: Fleet Captain. The rank insignia was made of solid gold and sat on a black vertical stripe on the front of the uniform. Andreva admired the strong Russian woman that stood in the mirror in front of her. Kaytlin knew with absolute certainty, today was going to be a wonderful day. “Fleet Captain Andreva, you have an incoming transmission from Solforce command.” Kaytlin diverted her attention from the mirror and turned to the comm. panel on her desk. She gracefully walked toward her desk and placed her finger on the “talk” button. With her Russian accent she said, “I’ll take it here.” “Yes sir.” Again, with grace, she walked around the desk and sat down. Once she was comfortable, she turned to face the computer screen on her desk. The screen displayed a prescreen which had the seal of the United Worlds and below that were the words, “PRIORITY TRANSMISSION: SOLFORCE COMMAND.” At the bottom of the screen was a time and date stamp. Kaytlin read the time and then the time on the chronometer at the side of her desk. There was a fifteen second delay. Even transmitting through a micro-wormhole could not eradicate the time delay of interstellar communications. The prescreen disappeared and was replaced by the face of a woman who appeared to be about sixty. Instantly, Kaytlin recognized the woman and extended a greeting towards her. “Fleet Admiral Harding.” For the next thirty seconds, Kaytlin sat in silence as she waited for the signal to travel to Luna and then back to the U.W.S. Independence. Then the image of the admiral spoke, “Fleet Captain Andreva, due to the time delay it would be best if we dispensed with the pleasantries. I have new orders for you, you are to leave the rest of the third fleet with the Solforce Science survey ships and take the Independence to sector eighty-four subsection ten by ten by ten.” “The border of Poloni space?” A thirty-second pause. “Yes. There you will wait for a Poloni diplomatic envoy. When the envoy arrives, you will take on some passengers and rendezvous with the rest of the third fleet in the Centauri system.” “But Admiral, surely there is another ship that is closer and can carry out the mission with more efficiency.” Another thirty second wait. “There are other ships, but the Poloni specifically asked for you, Fleet Captain.” “Me?” Thirty seconds of silence. “Yes, they mentioned you by name.” “Very well Admiral, I’ll have a course laid in immediately. Andreva out.” With that, Kaytlin tapped a button on her console and the screen went blank. Kaytlin leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes and let out a groan. Muttering to herself, she said, “Why did the most annoying species in the galaxy have to request me by name?” After taking a few seconds sulk about the damper that had just been put on her day she opened her eyes and tapped her wrist comm. “Andreva to bridge.” “Bridge here, Hunter speaking.” “Captain Hunter, contact the rest of the fleet and tell them to remain with the Solforce Science vessels until they complete their survey of the Shaw star. Once that is complete, tell them to travel to the Centauri system where we will rendezvous with them. After you have done that, lay in a course for sector eighty-four, subsector ten by ten by ten and open a wormhole.” “Yes sir.” “I’ll be on the bridge in a few minutes. Fleet Captain Andreva out.” Andreva got up from her chair and walked to the door leading out of her quarters and as the door slid open, she let out a half sigh, half groan. She knew with absolute certainty that today was going to be a lousy day, and then stepped into the hallway. On her way to the multilift, Kaytlin searched through her mind as to why the Poloni would have requested her by name. Slowly, she began recalling all of her recent encounters with the Poloni. As she stepped into the multilift, the answer dawned on her. It wasn’t the Poloni who asked for her, but it was her friend and former captain, Marc Revolver. She remembered how the Poloni often visited him while he was in command of the U.W.S. Independence. But not only that, she also remembered the conversation she had with him the last time she saw him. “We’ve reached the border of Poloni Space, Marc.” Kaytlin had said into the comm. on her office desk. Marc’s reply sounded through the speaker a moment later. “Hold position here. They have told me that they will come out to us.” “Are you sure about this, Marc?” Kaytlin questioned. “The Poloni have not exactly been forthcoming about themselves. And since they prohibit outsider ships in their space, if anything were to happen, we would not be able to go in and get you.” “The Poloni have never given me a reason to be concerned about my well being while I’m in their presence.” Katilyn paused, surprised at his response. She formulated a question from her surprise and asked it. “Are you saying you trust the Poloni?” “The Poloni conceal too much about themselves for me to trust them, but at the same time, I don’t distrust them. And Besides, they specifically asked for me as the United Worlds ambassador to the Poloni.” “That’s what worries me.” Kaytlin replied, her voice betraying the loathing she felt. “You’re a pessimist, Kaytlin.” Kaytlin recoiled back in her seat. “I am not! I’m just Russian, that’s all.” “I understand your concern for me, Kaytlin. You are among the last of my true friends. And I thank you for being concerned about me. But please, don’t worry too much, I can still look out for myself. “You’re the first commanding officer that ever put up with me. If I hadn’t have been placed under your command, I would have probably quit Solforce as a Lieutenant, and now I’m the captain of the U.W.S. Independence and the commander of Solforce’s third fleet. I owe that to you and now you’re going to a place where I won’t be able to reach you. So perhaps I am just afraid of myself, but directing my fear toward you. I’m afraid I’ll never see you again.” “Then I will promise you this. When I return from Poloni space, I will ask for you by name. I will see to it that Solforce sends you to pick me up.” How long has it been since then? Kaytlin thought to herself. Her mind followed up by giving her the answer. Ten Years. The multilift doors slid open and Kaytlin stepped onto the bridge of the ship. “Captain on the bridge!” Someone yelled out, and everybody immediately stood at attention. Kaytln casually made her way to her chair. “As you were.” She said as she sat down, everyone else followed her example and returned to their seats, resuming their work. __________________ Aside from my great plans to become the future dictator of the moon, I have little interest in political discussions. Last edited by mirevolver; 02-13-2004 at 06:06 PM..